July 31, 2026

My Thoughts on Dr. Anthony Fauci Pleading the Fifth

Dr. Fauci used his authority to justify excessive lockdowns and mandates, yet he never told the American people the full story. This week, given the chance to finally answer for it, he pleaded the Fifth over 100 times instead. Americans and Congress are simply asking for transparency, and it is extremely disappointing that he wouldn’t provide it. Why is he not being honest with the American people? He chose to hide rather than own up to it.

AT&T Laptop Distribution at Boys & Girls Club of the Permian Basin

Thanks to the incredible partnership of AT&T, 100 students at the Boys & Girls Club of the Permian Basin received laptops this week, a gift that will open doors for years to come. I was honored to join the distribution event and see firsthand the excitement on the faces of these bright, inspiring students as they received the resources to help shape their futures.

Technology plays a critical role in students’ education, providing them with the tools to complete homework, apply to college, and pursue their first job. I thank AT&T for helping address the digital divide in West Texas and for investing in the next generation of leaders. Read more about the event here or by clicking the image below.

Updating the Ambulance Payment Structure

EMS providers and first responders show up for our communities every single day, often in the most difficult moments imaginable, and they deserve a Medicare system that shows up for them in return. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan RESCUE Act to ensure EMS is reimbursed based on the real cost of the care they provide, just like other healthcare providers already are. 

Medicare’s ambulance fee schedule has not been updated since 2002, and current rates are still based on cost data collected from 1998. The RESCUE Act would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the ambulance fee schedule every three years based on current, actual cost data, replacing a system still anchored to decades-old numbers. 

This is especially critical in rural Texas and rural communities across the country, where a funding shortfall can mean the difference between an EMS agency staying open or shutting its doors. We will keep working to close this gap and make sure rural America never loses access to the emergency care it depends on. Read more about the RESCUE Act here or by clicking the image below.

Midland Athletic Syndicate is Now Open, Serving Permian Basin Student Athletes

I enjoyed touring the new Midland Athletic Syndicate that is providing accessible, high-quality sports programs for students in West Texas. The 120,000-square-foot athletic facility is providing practice, camp, game, and tournament options for youth sports in the Permian Basin.

The completion of the Midland Athletic Syndicate also achieves a long-term goal for our region and makes the Permian Basin a destination to host tournaments and competitions within our state. I thank the many generous donors for bringing this world-class facility to our student-athletes in Texas-11. Read more about the Midland Athletic Syndicate here or by clicking on the image below.

Spain’s Migrant Border Surge

This week, thousands of migrants flooded Spain’s borders, illegally entering the country on foot and by sea. The images and videos that emerged from Spain this week are a stark reminder of what America’s borders looked like under the Biden Administration.

I was the first member of Congress down in Del Rio during 2021, where I witnessed 15,000 migrants at a single port of entry. As the Democratic Socialists of America continue to advocate for open borders and policies that incentivize illegal immigration, we have a clear reminder of the chaos that is caused by those same socialist policies in Europe.

We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes. I’ll continue advocating for strong border security policies and ensure that federal law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to keep Americans safe. Border security is national security.

Small Business Roundtable with NFIB

I enjoyed meeting with local small business owners this week for a roundtable discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Main Street businesses. We also discussed how the Working Families Tax Cuts, including the permanent 20% small business deduction, will help local employers invest, grow, and create jobs.

I’m proud to stand up for Main Street in Washington, because small businesses like these are the backbone of our state’s economy. A huge thank you to Henry Hogeda, owner of The Original Henry’s, for hosting us at his restaurant. Read more about the roundtable here or by clicking on the image below.

Thank You, Summer Interns!

Our summer interns wrapped up their internships in the Washington, D.C., office this week while we celebrated National Intern Day. They’ve all been an incredible asset to our team and have worked on various projects to help better serve Texas-11 and the Republican Study Committee (RSC). We wish each of them the best in their future endeavors!

From L to R: Walker Willis, Baylor University; Colton Green, Texas A&M University; Christopher Cain, University of Texas; Ayaz Zuberi, Choate Rosemary Hall; Varun Mundunuri, University of Texas at Dallas; Jackson Guthrie, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Brett Jacobsen, University of Texas Permian Basin; and Ella Webb, Texas Tech University.

Upcoming Service Academy Night in San Angelo

My office is hosting a Service Academy Night in San Angelo for students, parents, and educators to learn about the opportunities for students to attend a U.S. Service Academy.

In 1995, I sought a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Now, as a Member of Congress, I have the privilege of helping the next generation begin that same journey by nominating exceptional young men and women to our nation’s Service Academies. If you are a student in Texas’s 11th Congressional District interested in serving your country as a military officer or joining college ROTC, I highly recommend attending Service Academy Night.

San Angelo Service Academy Night

September 1st from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

*Registration begins at 5:30 pm*

ASU Houston Harte University Center

CJ Davidson Conference Center

1910 Rosemont Drive

San Angelo, Texas, 76909

Please direct all questions to my Service Academy Liaison, Mary O’Connor, at mary.oconnor@mail.house.gov

If you are unable to attend and are interested in applying to a U.S. Service Academy, you can watch a recording of a previous Service Academy Night here.

ICYMI: Kimble, Mason, and Menard Counties Added to FEMA Major Disaster Declaration

I’m grateful that Kimble, Mason, and Menard counties have been added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. These communities have faced difficult challenges from recent flooding, and I’ve heard directly from local leaders about the impact on their communities. This designation gives local governments the federal resources they need to repair public infrastructure and support their communities’ recovery.

If you are an agricultural producer in Kimble or Menard Counties and suffered damages such as livestock loss or infrastructure loss, you are eligible for USDA Disaster Assistance. Please visit USDA’s website at farmers.gov to learn more information.

My team and I have been in close contact with county officials since the flooding began, working to ensure they received the resources they need. I’m always proud to be a Texan—especially in moments like this, when I see our community come together when it matters most. Read FEMA’s official announcement here.

Applications Open for 2026 Congressional App Challenge

My office is accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge. This competition is an excellent opportunity for students in middle and high school to further develop their skills in computer science and STEM.

Students have until October 26, 2026, to submit their app. Information on the Congressional App Challenge, including how to apply, can be found on our website by clicking here.

PRIZES

• The winning student’s app will be displayed on the U.S. House of Representatives website, House.gov, as well as on CongressionalAppChallenge.us
• The app will be unveiled in a Congressional Reception in Washington, D.C., in late December (date TBD).
• Additional prizes may be announced.

RULES

• There are no limits to what students can create. Apps can be coded in any language, for any platform, using any tools.
• The competition is open to students in middle and high school.
• Students may work individually or in teams made up of no more than four. 

Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on the Congressional App Challenge’s website. For more information, please visit CongressionalAppChallenge.us or contact Kathy Keane in my office at kathy.keane@mail.house.gov

ICYMI: New World Screwworm Free Educational Course

I am continuing to address the confirmed cases of the New World Screwworm (NWS) across Texas. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Texas have taken immediate action to eradicate this threat to livestock and the American food supply. 

As part of these eradication efforts, my office is coordinating with the USDA and local ranchers to ensure that sterile flies are being deployed across affected areas; a proven method for eliminating NWS populations at the source. My office and I will remain in close contact with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the USDA as we work together to eradicate this parasite.

Governor Greg Abbott has launched a free, online educational course for Texans to learn more about NWS. If interested, you can access and take the course here.

If you see signs of maggot infestation in live or recently dead wild animals, please call 866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297) to report it to your local USDA Wildlife Services office. If you are a rancher, please continue to monitor your livestock and report any unusual findings to USDA. For official updates, please visit screwworm.gov.

Participate in the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge

Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance recently announced the start of her second annual Summer Reading Challenge. I strongly encourage all K-8 students in Texas’s 11th Congressional District to participate. To enter, students must read 12 books, complete the reading log, and submit it to receive a prize.

The challenge is open to all students in grades K-8, and participants will be entered into a raffle for a special trip to visit the Nation’s Capital and additional prizes! Learn more about the Second Lady’s Reading Challenge at the link here.

Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates.